Georgia Straight responds to John Furlong's news conference

The Georgia Straight has heard John Furlong’s statement this afternoon regarding an article in today’s newspaper. The story was backed up with eight sworn affidavits. Marvin Storrow, Furlong's lawyer, did not make his client available to respond to questions from the journalist, Laura Robinson. She also attempted without success to reach Mr. Furlong through his publisher, Douglas & McIntyre. Ms. Robinson was told that Mr. Furlong had “nothing more” to say to her.

Fairness

Sep 27, 2012 at 5:17pm

Whether it is true or not, who cares? Why does someone , like this reporter, want to tarnish someone's reputation and make allegations that may or may not be true. Laura Robinson , why NOW? is what I'm asking...and what does this do for you or anyone else? Why don't you find something GOOD to write about and leave whomever thinks they were wronged to go to the authorities themselves and do what they need to do.I hope that you get it for Slander, only because I have been in a similar situation where things are written about someone and not any of it is true, and it is ALL taken out of context and embellished to make NEWS!

Chisler

MRN604

Sep 27, 2012 at 7:16pm

Really -- that's the best you can do in response -- the matters is in the courts now and I would hope the Straight will run full apologies in print IN ADDITION to any punitive damages they amy face. Seems like a very weak response

Terminalcitygirl

Sep 27, 2012 at 7:17pm

I don't get all the folks ringing their hands about the "timing" of this story breaking. 15 years ago or 10 years ago or now, it doesn't matter. Clearly Furlong lied through omission about a piece of his life that didn't jive with the image he is selling. Victims of child abuse rarely speak up as children, often not as adults either, especially if they've been treated as horribly as First Nations have been treated for generations in Canada. For this story to come together the right people had to make the right decisions, a critical mass had to speak a horrible truth and someone had to listen, research and then publish the story. Good on you Laura Robinson and Georgia Straight.

Donna Morgan

Sep 27, 2012 at 7:18pm

Fairness, that is a ridiculous comment. If this is true, I, for one, care. All involved in the abuse that went on at these schools need to take responsbility, and not pretend that these chapters of their lives didn't even exist. I think one might answer Why Now because the author wanted to have a lot of supported evidence before printing this. And I'm pretty sure the GS has lawyers who checked this article out before it was printed.

jacko

Sep 27, 2012 at 7:28pm

Gee, what do you think would happen to the regular folk if on their resume they stated they came to Canada in 1974 when they were actually here in 1969? What do you think their employer would say about about a little discrepancy like that? I'm thinking the answer would be 'don't let the door hit your a** on the way out'.